title: Attendance, weight and waist circumference outcomes of patients with type 2 diabetes receiving Medicare-subsidised dietetic services.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to investigate the participation and weight and waist circumference outcomes of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) receiving Medicare-subsidised dietetic services. A prospective observational study was conducted between January and September 2011 involving three private practice dietitians who provided services at 11 medical centres in south-east Queensland. All patients with T2D who were referred by their general practitioner (GP) to one of the dietitians as part of their team care arrangements were asked to participate. Participants' attendance at consultations was recorded for the study duration. The dietitian collected weight and waist circumference measures at each consultation. In all, 129 participants (mean age 58.9 ± 15.7 years; mean body mass index 32.2 ± 5.6 kgm⁻²) were included in the study. The most frequent number of consultations allocated to a dietitian was two. Small, but significant reductions in bodyweight (1.9 ± 2.9 kg; P ≤ 0.05) and waist circumference (2.0 ± 4.8 cm; P ≤ 0.05) were observed from the initial to final consultation. Participants who attended more than two consultations lost significantly more weight than those who attended two consultations only (3.7 ± 4.2 vs 1.1 ± 1.6 kg, respectively; P ≤ 0.05). Almost one-third of participants (n=38; 29%) did not complete the allocated number of consultations available through their referral. Modest weight and waist circumference reductions are achievable for patients with T2D receiving Medicare-subsidised dietetic services. The clinical significance of these reductions requires further investigation. Patients who attend more consultations with a dietitian may experience further improvements in weight and waist circumference outcomes. However, many patients do not complete the number of consultations allocated. Further research is required to explore the determinants of attendance at consultations in order to maximise potential improvements in health outcomes for patients receiving Medicare-subsidised dietetic services.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Griffith University, Qld 4222, Australia.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.affiliation: Marie-Claire O'Shea Dietitians, Suite 11, 151 Cotlew Street, Ashmore, Qld 4214, Australia.
authors.forename: Marie-Claire
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: O'Shea
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Qld 4222, Australia.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health and Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Qld 4222, Australia.
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Desbrow
authors.affiliation: School of Human Movement Studies, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leveritt
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000628:therapy*; D004046:Dietetics / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D006278:Medicare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011793:Queensland; D014481:United States; D055105:Waist Circumference / Q000502:physiology*